Ms Gillard says she has been encouraged by support from other countries for Australia's bid, but refused to speculate on how many votes Australia can expect.

"I'm not going to be engaging in a running commentary on all of this," she said.

"We're encouraged by the level of support that we are seeing for Australia's bid for the Security Council.

"But it is going to be a close contest, and part of the work here during the week is talking to nations about putting their support for Australia."

It has been almost two decades since Australia held a non-permanent seat on the rotating council.

There are only 10 spots available and Australia is competing with Finland and Luxembourg for one of them.

Officials say Australia has secured the majority of votes from Asian, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

But Europe's leaders have thrown their support behind Finland and Luxembourg.

Fight to the finish

Ms Gillard says it will be a fight to the finish.

"I think in any election in any field there are a range of people who make up their mind closer in and there are some who don't make up their mind until they're putting the pen to the paper," she said.

"That's true in our own domestic elections and I think that'll be true of the Security Council bid as well."

UN member states are expected to cast their votes in a secret ballot on October 18.

Ms Gillard says the Federal Government has spent more than $20 million on its bid.

"Of course though much of the work that our Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does routinely has been brought to bear to assist with the bid," she said.

The Prime Minister says the sudden illness that derailed her first day in New York is now behind her.

"It was a stomach bug of some indeterminate origin," she said.

"All I can tell you, one other person on the travelling party got struck down by the same thing but I'm all right now."